Abby’s still exploring the globe

However, she has been to Alaska, Canada and Antarctica, to the antipodeans, Philippines and England.

Sunningdale’s Abby has been invited to go to hundreds of places all over the world and spread awareness about marine biology.

The people in Timbuktu don’t know what they’re missing (the ocean for starters).

TygerBurger published an article in 2011 about Abby, who was about to commence a year-long journey around the world.

She didn’t stop though, she’s still globetrotting three years later.

She started her jolly life as a character in a book written by marine biologist Heidi de Maine.

“Kids were always so excited when they left aquariums, but they ultimately only remembered one or two things. I thought about ways to get them to remember more and expose children who don’t live near the sea to what goes on underneath the surface. I just ended up talking about it and then my husband said I should write a book, with Abby as the main character” says Heidi.

She then realised the best way to market her book, Abby’s Aquarium Adventures, and to create awareness, would be to get a soft toy to actually travel the world.

Along with teaching children about marine life, Heidi hopes to promote marine biology as a career and get children interested in it.

One recipient would post Abby to the next, and while she visits, take photos of her adventures.

These photos are then posted to http://www.abby.co.za along with a delightful account written by Abby herself.

It is suspected that these accounts are actually written by Heidi, but TygerBurger’s investigation into this possibility has been fruitless.

“Hi Sea Fans,” exclaims Abby in one of her blog posts.

“I got to do winter in the Antarctic too…thanks to Sabrina! Becs left for warmer weather in the UK and I stayed behind to see what goes on when it’s REALLY cold!! When it’s cold and windy…it’s REALLY COLD AND WINDY!”

Since Abby’s globe-trotting days have started Heidi, has written another book called Predators, in which Abby also stars.

In the meantime, Abby’s stardom is growing. She has received a list of invitations from all around the planet (excluding Timbuktu).

So the sky is the limit for Abby, which is good because there’s plenty more to do.

“Abby told me she’d like to see many more aquariums opened up in more remote areas, especially in countries where people are over-exporting fish,” says Heidi.

“She is particularly perturbed by the ships in Japan that just go out to kill a lot of sea life and then leave half of the catch in the sea. She wants to educate everyone!”

***DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN TYGERBURGER, A CAPE TOWN BASED MEDIA24 COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER. IT MAY NOT BE DUPLICATED WITHOUT ACCREDITING THE SOURCE – TYGERBURGER, MEDIA24.***